Bombardier starts building ultra long-range Global 7000 and 8000

14 May, 2014

SOURCE: FlightGlobal.com

BY: Kate Sarsfield

London

Bombardier has begun to assemble major structures for the first flight-test vehicle of the Global 7000 and 8000 programme. "The start of assembly of our first major structures represents a significant step forward," says Bassam Sabbagh, vice-president and general manager, for the ultra-long-range business jet duo.

"The programme is progressing well in the detailed design phase with the majority of the production drawings already released," he says.

The rear fuselage and cockpit are being assembled at Bombardier manufacturing facilities in Querétaro, Mexico, and Saint-Laurent, Canada, respectively. Suppliers Aerolia and Triumph are building the centre fuselage and wing respectively at their facilities in Méaulte, France and Red Oak, Texas.

The Global 7000 and 8000 will sit at the top of Bombardier’s product line, above the super-large Global 5000 and long-range 6000 when they enter service in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The Global 7000 will have a top cruise speed of Mach 0.90 and a range of 7,300nm (13,500km) at M0.85 carrying 10 passengers. The Global 8000 offers a maximum range of 7,900nm at M0.85, carrying eight passengers. Both models feature an all-new, high-speed transonic wing and will be powered by 16,500lb-thrust (73kN) GE Aviation Passport engines.

According to Flightglobal’s Ascend Online database, Bombardier has secured 38 orders and options for the Global 7000 and 54 for the Global 8000.